New community woodland planned for Tavistock after council buys seven hectares of land
West Devon Borough Council has taken the first steps towards creating a new community woodland near Tavistock, after purchasing more than seven hectares of land near Crowndale.
The proposed woodland would be the first publicly accessible woodland within walking distance of the town, providing a new place for residents to enjoy nature while supporting biodiversity and nature recovery.
The site lies to the south-west of Tavistock, alongside the Tavistock Canal, with views towards Shillamill Viaduct and Dartmoor. It would connect with existing woodland and tree lines and be accessible to visitors via a nearby public footpath.
The council is proposing to let much of the woodland develop naturally, rather than relying on large-scale tree planting. A break from grazing and hay cutting this year, combined with a bumper crop of acorns last winter, has already resulted in significant numbers of naturally regenerating oak saplings across the site.
Allowing trees to grow from seeds already present in the ground could help create woodland better suited to local conditions and more resilient to environmental pressures, including summer droughts. The approach would also reduce the need to purchase, transport and plant trees, as well as avoiding the use of plastic tree guards.
Plans for the site include a circular walking route of around 1.5 kilometres, seating at viewpoints and interpretation panels explaining the area's landscape, wildlife and history. The council also intends to restore damaged stone-faced hedge banks.
Leader of West Devon Borough Council, Cllr Mandy Ewings, said: “This is a wonderful and rare opportunity to create Tavistock’s first community woodland. The new space will give local people somewhere to walk, explore and connect with nature, while also supporting the Council’s wider commitment to the natural environment.
“By securing this land, we are helping to protect an important local site and turn it into something that residents can enjoy for many years to come.”
Lead Member for Natural Environment, Cllr George Dexter, said: “What makes this site so exciting is that nature is already doing much of the work. The young oak trees are naturally regenerating, which gives us the chance to create a woodland that is better adapted to local conditions and stands a much higher chance of success.
“This approach is lower impact, more cost effective and better for biodiversity. It will also create new opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors, learn about the history of the area and see how the woodland changes over time.”
The council has commissioned baseline habitat surveys and soil analysis and is consulting with organisations including Tamar Valley National Landscape, the Woodland Trust and the County Archaeologist. A public drop-in session is planned for Tavistock this autumn, giving residents an opportunity to view the early proposals, ask questions and share ideas for the site.
The council intends to seek the necessary consents from the Forestry Commission this winter. It will also apply to the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest for grant funding to help cover the project's capital costs, along with site establishment and maintenance.
Further details of the public drop-in session are expected to be announced in due course.